In Sanju, the veneer of fascination and glowing admiration never thins, even when Dutt is at the peak of self-destruction. His substance abuse costs him his relationship with girlfriend Ruby, played by Sonam Kapoor. Yet, it is all blamed on a conspiring drug dealer, a role essayed by an unusually over-the-top Jim Sarbh. Sarbh has been supplying him with drugs, but has been resorting to glucose himself. The chasm between black and white gets wider as the film progresses, and it becomes painfully clear which side Hirani wants Dutt to be on.

There is no mention of Dutt's first two wives in the film, because of course, they don't fit into a blameless-hero narrative. Hirani has conveniently glossed over the existence of Richa Sharma, Rhea Pillai and Dutt's numerous dalliances with 90s' actresses.

But what's more upsetting than all this? Sanjay Dutt's sisters, Priya and Namrata Dutt have practically no role in the film. They're literally in the background, reduced to teary-eyed props. And this is bizarre, considering Priya Dutt is known for voicing strong opinions.

Dutt chants, "I'm not a terrorist," and the film focusses on supporting his claims. Dutt might not have been a terrorist, but the film doesn't tell us why Dutt was associated with bloodthirsty gangsters and bought weapons from them. The film blatantly refuses to take an in-depth exploration of Dutt's tendency to make bad choices, and neither are you given much space to decide for yourself.

It is a hagiography portraying Sanjay Dutt as a victim. Ditt is a victim of his own stupidity and self destructive behavior. If he had done some notable.public service like his dad, then it would have been athe right time to make a movie about his life as a tale of redemption. As of now, he is a self destructive spoilt brat who messed up chance after chance despite having everything handed to him on a platter.